The Radiance Sutras

I recently discovered The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roache. It is a rendition of the classic Vijñāna Bhairava text that has been handed down from the Kashmir nondual tradition.

This book includes some beautiful descriptions of simple, commonly used meditation techniques, but set as a discussion between two lovers (who also represent Shiva and Shakti, the divine masculine and feminine).

It's so good, I think I'm going to read from this text during upcoming meditation evenings. Here is a description of a simple breath based meditation:

Enter these turning points,

Where the rhythms of life transform

Into each other.

Breath flows in, filling, filling,

In this moment, drink eternity.

Breath flows out, emptying, emptying,

Offering itself to infinity.

Cherishing these moments,

Mind dissolved into heart,

Heart dissolves into space,

Body becomes a vibrating field,

Pulsating between fullness and emptiness.

How amazing is that? The Vijñāna Bhairava texts were first written down around 900A.D., and were most probably passed down orally as chants for many generations before that. I find it astounding that such a beautiful expression of meditation has existed for so long.